The past few days have been filled with a string of bad news. With the closure of popular patisserie Antoinette and seafood restaurant The Pelican, there can’t possibly be anything else worse, right? Sadly, we are wrong.

The Fabulous Baker is the next dining establishment to announce its closure and their last day will be on 11 July 2020.

Before the restaurant closes, they will be serving their well-loved food and bakes for the last time.

They will be reopening their doors on 27 June 2020, Saturday and will be open from Tuesdays to Sundays from 8.30am to 5pm till their final day on the 11th of July. You can also order from them online and they will be providing islandwide delivery.

If you’ve been a loyal fan of The Fabulous Baker Boy, do pop by one last time to support them before they close for good.

For years, Famous Amos has been the “OG” cookie shop in Singapore. Now, it is time to welcome up and coming young bakeries doling out novel cookies that might possibly rival our well-loved predecessor.

Introducing Folks and Stories: a rustic baking studio nestled in the residential estate of Queenstown that serves up quirky cookie creations inspired by personalities of the people around them, as well as tea cakes and brownies.

Here’s what to expect from these young talents.

The outlet itself has no dining area, so customers will have to make their purchases online and self-collect it at their shop or opt for takeaway.

We went for Ambitious Sailor (S$3.50), a sea salt dark chocolate butter cookie. Inspired by those who strive hard and sail toward their goals, this cookie has an unassuming appearance, yet consists of a gooey, chocolatey inner goodness.

The fluffy cookie was crisp on the outside but had a soft, chewy middle that oozed decadent chocolate. We also enjoyed the melted chocolate chunks.

Since it was dark chocolate, we expected the chocolate to have a bitter taste, but it was on the sweeter side.

We tried one of their unorthodox creations: Curious Merrymaker (S$3.50), a double chocolate cookie infused with cheese. This cookie stood out to us as we had never seen cookies paired with cheese before.

The sweetness of the chocolate cookie surprisingly blended harmoniously with the savoury cheese, providing contrasting flavour profiles. The softness from both the cookie base and cheese also gave a comforting, luxurious mouthfeel.

Lastly, we tried Salt of The Earth (S$4.20), a milk and dark chocolate brownie. Their brownies are a bang for your buck, as it comes in a huge slab as compared to the measly ones sold in cafes.

Chocolate lovers will be fond of this brownie, as it had a crisp base and chewy center that oozed luscious fudge. It melted in our mouths when we bit into it, allowing us to relish the treat’s indulgent cocoa flavour. 

Folks and Stories is one of those underrated local baking studios that definitely deserves more recognition. Do them give them a try, as they might possibly give other cookie shops a run for their money.

Folks and Stories 
Block 163 Stirling Road
#01-1238
Singapore 140163
Tel: +65 8282 7375
Mon to Fri: 10:30am – 6pm
Sat: 10:30am – 4pm
(Closed on Sundays)
Nearest Station: Queenstown

Taking over the space of the now-defunct D’Zerts Cafe is the newest hidden gem in the East of Singapore, The Forage Cafe by Thirteen Honey in Simpung Bedok. Their extensive menu features a plethora of all-day brunch, pasta and mains. What’s great is that they also are trying to incorporate their own farmed honey (from Malaysia) into all their dishes as a sugar replacement!

That’s not all! If you were a fan of D’zerts Cafe’s sweet creations, you’ll be happy to know that D’zerts still supplies bakes and desserts to The Forage Cafe.

First up at the table was their Granchio Pasta (S$20) that is made with linguine pasta and a sauce consisting of shredded crabmeat, white wine, tomato cream and parmesan cheese. Also strewn into the mix were a few leaves of baby spinach.

We were pretty happy with the generous portion of pasta and crab meat, given the rather hefty price point. The pasta was mouthwateringly flavourful – sweetness from the crab meat complemented the slight acidity of the tomato sauce base.

We also tried their Smoked Salmon & Egg Grilled Waffle Sandwich (S$17). Two fluffy waffles are sandwiched together, containing a generous filling of egg, cheese and smoked salmon. On the side were sautéed mushrooms, a salad, fruits and Thirteen Honey’s Multifloral Honey.

The waffle was nicely crisped and had a fluffy yet almost chewy texture. We were also very impressed by the copious amounts of cheese and smoked salmon inside this innovative sandwich. What we enjoyed the most was how well the honey paired with the waffles, giving this savoury dish a hint of complex sweetness.

Of course, we love a sweet ending to our meals, so we chose to try their Kahlua Tiramisu (S$8). Biscuits are directly soaked in the coffee liqueur, so it may be a little strong for those who aren’t used to having alcohol in their desserts.

We loved how light and creamy the marscapone filling was, mellowing out the strong taste of alcohol and providing a pleasant, mildly sweet base to the dessert.

Other than just the mains, The Forage Cafe also sells the farm-to-table honey from Thirteen Honey off the shelf. If you’re looking for unique gifts or are a honey-lover, you can even sample their various kinds of honey blends.

The Forage Cafe
30 Jalan Pari Burong
Singapore 488696
Tue to Sun: 10am – 10pm
(Closed on Mondays)
Nearest Station: Simei

Though Sunset Way may seem like an unassuming location, this quiet neighbourhood is home to a good number of food gems which also includes the recently opened Fredo’s Baker.

Set up in a space just opposite the old-school Balmoral Bakery, this fairly new kid on the block features a delectable selection of pastries, cakes and tarts that are made with quality ingredients and the utmost passion from its pastry chef and owner, Alfred Chan.

Spoilt for choice when we first entered Fredo’s, we took a bit of time to decide before we eventually settled on the Yuzu Meringue Tart (S$8.50), the Gula Melaka Pandan Scone (S$3), and the Coffee Express Kahlua Pound Cake (S$3.80).

As pound cakes can often taste either too dense or rich, the Coffee Express Kahlua Pound Cake impressed with its fairly moist texture and interesting combined flavour of coffee and Kahlua.

With scones traditionally coming in the typical original, chocolate or fruit-mixed options, the Gula Melaka Pandan Scone was a rather unique item that caught our attention from the get-go.

Served with a dollop of butter on the side, the scone was crumbly and buttery-sweet. As it tastes just as good with or without the butter, it would be good to have a cup of tea at hand to complement the overall flavour.

Leaving the best for last, Fredo’s Yuzu Meringue Tart was our favourite of the lot due to its ability to leave a balanced sweet and sour note after every bite.

While the yuzu creamy custard can come across overtly sour on its own, the sweetness of the meringue helped to counteract its tartness, which resulted in an all-round refreshing after-taste.

Fredo’s Baker
Block 109
#01-05
Clementi St 11
Singapore 120109
Mon to Sat: 8am – 8pm
Sun & Public Holiday: 8am – 6pm
Nearest station: Clementi

Armed with flavourful coffee, delectable pastries a mission to spread more awareness and empower the differently-abled in Singapore, Foreword Coffee takes on Singapore’s coffee-loving crowd. Opening their third outlet at Temasek Shophouse, they’re taking bold steps forward to make Singapore a more inclusive society.

Foreword Coffee serves a myriad of coffee drinks and a few signature concoctions. In addition to these cuppas, they also offer indulgent pastries and cakes made by home-bakers or other projects with similar missions to empower.

One of Foreword Coffee’s signature drinks is the Timeless Yuan Yang (S$6.50). A ristretto shot of their Yunnan Ouyang coffee blend with an Earl Grey tea ice ball blends perfectly with milk.

The first sip brought out the bright flavour of the Earl Grey instantly and as it faded on your tastebuds, the fruity yet bitter note of the Yunnan Ouyang Coffee could be tasted. It was an excellent modern rendition of the traditional Yuan Yang.

Using Dark Chocolate from the Rehoboth Estate in the Philippines and milk, Foreword Coffee’s next signature drink, the 70% Dark Chocolate (S$6.50), was a delight to drink. This would be perfect for those who enjoy a milkier hot chocolate drink but want that rich chocolate aroma.

Foreword Coffee also supports passionate home-bakers and offer their baked goods at the cafe. We tried the Chocolate Cloud Cake (S$5) and were extremely satisfied. The cake was chocked full of cocoa flavour yet it maintained a crumbly and somewhat airy texture. It was such a simple slice but it was oh-so-satisfying.

We were truly humbled after our trip to Foreword Coffee. It is easy to get lost in the fast pace and rat race in modern Singapore; it also is easy to grow more unaware of society around us too. However, visiting Foreword Coffee, we had the chance to see more of what we usually do not in Singapore – empowerment of those that are differently-abled.

Everyone comes in different shapes and sizes, and this includes those who have impairments and are uniquely-abled. Let us all learn to appreciate every single person and all the different personalities we have in our society, just like Foreword Coffee does.

28 Orchard Road
Temasek Shophouse
Singapore 238832
Mon to Fri: 8.30am – 6.30pm
Sat & Sun: 11.15pm – 4.15pm
Nearest Station: Dhoby Gaut

Foreword Coffee has several outlets. Check out the full list here.

Opening its door with little fanfare earlier this year is Fine Dining Bakery by Akira .M, a Japanese bakery specialising in handcrafted breads made with flour from Hokkaido. Head baker chef Akira boasts impressive credentials, having worked at Joël Robuchon as well as béni in Singapore.

Particularly popular amongst the Japanese expats, most get their breads for takeaway but the bakery has a small dine-in area if you wish to enjoy their fresh bakes or sandwiches in house.

We started off with a Croissant (S$3.80). Toasted and served warm, the croissant was buttery and flaky but a tad dry. Fine Dining Bakery offers almond croissants, chocolate croissants and even chocolate banana croissants as well.

What really brought us to Fine Dining Bakery was the Fluffy Shokupan Sandwich (S$14.50) which came in a set with a mini salad and soup. The salad of fresh crunchy greens came with cherry tomatoes and rhubarbs for a splash of colour and was finished off with a homemade vinaigrette while the soup of the day was a sweet and creamy carrot soup that was lightly salted – perfect starters for our sandwich.

Now, for the main event. Made with honey and fresh cream, the shokupan slices were so fluffy and chewy we just couldn’t believe it. Between the two slices of shokupan was a generous amount of luscious egg salad that featured hints of spice from mustard, some tanginess from mayonnaise and was seasoned with chives and black pepper.

Not only was this sandwich such a delight to eat, but it was also filling; we can totally imagine coming back here just for it!

207 River Valley Road
#01-59 UE Square
Singapore 238275
Wed to Mon: 10am – 5pm
(Closed on Tuesday)
Nearest Station: Fort Canning

Joining in on the soufflé pancake trend is Fluff Stack that sits on the basement of the newly renovated F&B section of Suntec City. Pretty in pink with gold accents, the decor of the cafe is as pretty as the pancakes.

But one thing that definitely sets Fluff Stack apart from other soufflé pancake cafés has got to be the price point. While soufflé pancakes tend to be priced at a premium, we love that the ones here start from S$8.80 which is pretty affordable!

First up was the Classic Soufflé Pancakes (S$8.80) which came with the unmistakable jiggle of a good soufflé pancake. The stack of two pancakes was accompanied by honey butter, chantilly cream and maple syrup.

Pillowy and delicate, the plate of cloud is undeniably one of the better ones we’ve had in Singapore. We liked how the honey butter added some saltiness that was a good contrast against all the sweet.

We also got the Oolong Soufflé Pancakes (S$9.80) which is a stack of the same cloud-like pancakes but served with gula melaka boba and oolong crème anglaise. Not as gimmicky as it looked, it was a really well-balanced dessert that tastes the best when all the components are eaten together.

Although the boba provided a great textual variation, we wish the gula melaka flavour was more prominent. The oolong crème anglaise, on the other hand, had some bitter undertones that makes this a good option for those who prefer their desserts on the less sweet side.

Our pancakes came pretty promptly, but we believe it might take slightly longer during peak periods. With its great price point and soufflé pancakes that are not only photogenic but tasty as well, we foresee ourselves coming back to Fluff Stack to try the other flavours!

3 Temasek Boulevard
#B1-K4 Suntec City
Singapore 038983
Daily: 10am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Esplanade/Promenade

Famous US Burger Chain FIve Guys is coming to Singapore!

NYC burger institution Shake Shack has opened in Singapore in April 2019 at Jewel Changi Airport and it seems like that isn’t the end to the slew of overseas concepts coming to our little red dot.

If burgers are your thing, then you’d be glad to know that Five Guys—another popular US burger chain with over 1,600 restaurants worldwide, spanning North America, Europe and the Middle East—is opening in Singapore by Zouk Group.

The first outlet of Five Guys Singapore will be located at Plaza Singapura on the ground level of mall near the main atrium. It is slated to open in the fourth quarter of 2019.

Widely known for their burgers, hot dogs and french fries, Five Guys first started out as a humble family business back in Arlington Virginia back in 1986. Since then, the lads behind this burger joint have been consistently tweaking recipes to elevate the classic American comfort food.

You might have seen many photos of their burgers over social media and we’re sure that you’ve been dying to try them if you haven’t already done so.

Boasting over 1,500 outlets worldwide, the brand will be bringing to us their signature hamburgers, sandwiches, hot dogs, fresh-cut french fries and milkshakes.

Using only prime fresh beef, Singaporeans can look forward to their famous burgers. What makes Five Guys different from the other burger chains is they offer free toppings for their burgers and hot dogs. You can choose from a variety of toppings including mayo, lettuce, pickles, tomatoes, grilled onions, grilled mushrooms, ketchup and mustard.

All photos credited to Five Guys Netherlands.

Five Guys Singapore
Plaza Singapura
68 Orchard Rd, Singapore 238839
Nearest Station: Dhoby Ghaut

Shrouded amongst the glitz and glamour of Resorts World Sentosa and clean beaches is a historical gem that has been preserved since the late 19th century.

Tucked away at the westernmost end of Sentosa is Fort Siloso, Singapore’s last remaining coastal fort. Its strategic position allowed soldiers during the war to have clear views of the waters and the surrounding area so that they could shoot down anything that was a threat.

Stepping into Fort Siloso is like taking a leap back in time; a time when life was much harder and peril-filled the streets of Singapore. By delving into Singapore’s rich history, we are reminded of the dark times that our forefathers endured. We also can understand how far Singapore has come since then and most importantly, we can learn to appreciate the safe and clean environment that we enjoy now.

GET A BIRD’S-EYE VIEW FROM FROM THE FORT SILOSO SKYWALK 

In recent years, the Fort Siloso Skywalk was also built to allow visitors to have a better self-guided experience around the area. Standing at 11-storeys high, the Skywalk presents panoramic views of the western part of Sentosa.

It’s the perfect place to admire Sentosa’s surrounding scenery as well as to take some amazing photos for the gram!

MARVEL AT THE PRESERVED GUNS AND MACHINERY

What we love about Fort Siloso is their collection of preserved guns and machinery from World War II.

It is pretty fascinating to see all these massive weapons that were used for war and it also shows how far technological advancements have come since then.

LEARN MORE ABOUT SINGAPORE’S RICH HISTORY 

There are six interactive zones that serve to educate visitors on events that took place during the war as well as post and pre-war moments. There are also exhibits that tell the tales of people who lived through the Japanese Occupation to allow visitors to better understand what it personally felt like going through the war.

A lot of effort had evidently been put into making the displays as realistic as possible. For instance, there were some eerily realistic wax figures of soldiers reenacting scenes from the war period.

Old and preserved structures of the fort remain and transport one back in time. It is truly quite an experience to walk the grounds that the people from the war walked on.

Fort Siloso 
Siloso Road
Singapore 099981
Daily: 10am – 6pm
Nearest Station: Harbourfront

Nestled away in Bukit Timah about a 10-minute walk away from Beauty World station is FlagWhite, a cosy and minimalistic cafe that serves up your usual array of cafe noshes such as cakes, hand-brewed coffee and a hearty big breakfast.

Despite it looking like just any other new cafe here in Singapore, FlagWhite does have a few special things to offer that other cafes don’t. For one, their home-made cakes are stellar both in aesthetics and taste.

One thing that makes FlagWhite truly stand out from many of the cafes in Singapore is the fact that they make all their cakes and bakes in-house. Their delectable array of desserts will without a doubt leave you spoilt for choice and you can expect sweet treats such as their Signature Double Cheese Cake and Single Origin Chocolate Tarts. 

Here, they also pride themselves on their speciality coffee where they mainly use beans roasted by Quarter Life Coffee Roasters, a local micro-roastery. They believe in supporting local SMEs, so many of their coffee, chocolates and teas are sourced from local suppliers and artisanal coffee makers.

No cafe experience is complete without having a massive breakfast dish of sorts. At FlagWhite, they have a special build-your-own brunch meal where you can customise what you want to have on your brunch plate, which is a pretty interesting concept.

They also have mains like Burgers and Mash, FlagWhite Burger as well as their very popular Chicken Parmigiana.

FlagWhite 
106 Jalan Jurong Kechil
Singapore 598604
Mon, Wed to Fri: 10am – 9pm
Sat & Sun: 9am — 9pm
(Closed on Tuesdays)
Nearest Station: Beauty World

All photo credits go to FlagWhite Singapore. 

Saying that the Japanese love their ramen would be a complete understatement. Ramen is a staple food there and there is an abundance of ramen stores scattered all over Japan. While most of these places sell pretty good ramen, it is pretty hard to find a place that really knocks the ball out of the park.

In Japan, a place that sells good food can easily be recognised by the insane, snaking queues that can last for hours. One of the places in Tokyo that has some of the craziest queues is Fu-unji Ramen, a no-frills place that sells solid bowls of tsukemen ramen that is hard to beat.

Photo Credit: Japan Travel 

The inside of the stall is an organised mess of people and if you’re claustrophobic, be warned that this place can be pretty anxiety-inducing. There are 2 rows of people here: the ones sitting at the counter area and the ones standing behind waiting for their turn. The pressure to eat fast is real here as there are people literally breathing down your necks.

Orders are placed at the door before you begin the tedious queue behind the other patrons. Fu-unji serves up 3 different noodle sizes: small (200g), medium (300g) or large (400g). All the tsukemen here are sold at the same price (1000 Yen) regardless of what size of noodles you order, so it really is pretty value for money if you order a medium or a large!

What makes the ramen here at Fu-unji so unique is the fact that it is fish based. Many would think that a fish-based ramen broth would be a bad idea as the fishy taste may be too overpowering, but somehow, Fu-unji made it work very well.

Besides the fish component, Fu-unji layers their broth with chicken broth and fish powder, creating an addictive, savoury concoction that hits all the right spots without being too overwhelming.

Aside from that life-changing broth, the ramen noodles were perfectly cooked and delightfully chewy. We appreciate how the thickness of the noodles managed to hold more of that insanely good broth, making each mouthful a piece of heaven.

The ramen is also topped with a copious amount of succulent pork, crunchy bamboo shoots and a runny flavoured ajitama egg that not only soaked up all the goodness of the broth but also added a variety of flavours and textures that enhanced the entire the dish.

For those of you who are not fans of tsukemen ramen, you can also opt to try their normal ramen for just 950 Yen. The ramen has a less fishy taste and the broth is a little milder as compared to the tsukemen broth. Despite both ramens being incredibly delicious, we have to say that we prefer the tsukemen ramen more!

Fu-unji Ramen 
2-14-3, Yoyogi, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, Japan
Tel: +81 3 6413 8480
Mon to Sat: 11am – 3pm, 5 – 9pm
(Closed on Sundays)
Nearest Station: Shinjuku

Christmas is definitely one of the best times to make merry with friends and family alike, and a scrumptious spread of a feast is something you absolutely cannot do without.

The time has come, once again, for the busiest yet most joyful period of the year! The holiday season is just around the corner, and we are sure that everyone is busy scrambling over presents, party arrangements as well as making Christmas dinner plans.

Are you racking your brains over where to have your Christmas dinner with your loved ones?

This year, Novotel Singapore on Stevens and Mercure Singapore on Stevens are pulling out all the stops to offer a series of dining options for the annual year-end celebrations from November to December 2018 to create a memorable Christmas for everyone.

Located on level 2 of the relatively new hotel is Food Exchange. Treat yourselves to their daily lunch buffet starting from $42++ and daily dinner buffet starting from S$68++ per adult,  while Fudebar’s Festive Takeaways offers free delivery for orders above S$200, if not otherwise is only S$30 regardless of location. To make this Christmas even sweeter, book before 14 December 2018 to enjoy 25% Early Bird Discount off Buffet at Food Exchange.

The team has prepared a sensational holiday spread that’s absolute value-for-money. Indulge in Food Exchange’s daily Festive Buffet lunch and dinner, with their 4 main special highlights available at Fudebar—Traditional Roast Turkey, Roast Ribeye Beef, Salmon Coulibiac and Honey Studded Gammon Ham.

You’ll also be glad to know that these highlights are also part of Fudebar’s Festive Takeaways, so you can host the perfect dinner in the comfort of your own home.

The restaurant boasts of a gorgeous, spacious interior that is perfect for gatherings with your loved ones, no matter how big or small the group. You can also opt for alfresco dining and enjoy the sights from their scenic infinity pool while you feast on their sumptuous buffet.

And as far as buffets are concerned, you can expect freshness, quality and variety offered. It encompasses all sorts of chef’s signatures that fuse together a medley of Singaporean, Indian, European cuisine and more. There are even fresh sashimi and seafood on ice and hot cooking stations that serve up a myriad of roasted meats, freshly made popiah and many many more.

HONEY STUDDED GAMMON HAM

Perhaps one of the biggest hunks of ham we’ve ever seen, this isn’t just any regular honey-baked ham. Each carved slice of ham is an honest chunk of goodness condensed in its purest form that even your kids would scramble to have more of. It comes along with garden vegetables, mashed potatoes and roasted pineapples for that pop of fresh sweetness.

Honey Studded Gammon Ham is also available for Festive Takeaways at S$88 nett.

ROAST RIBEYE BEEF

Like any other good feast, you can’t go wrong with beef. This 5kg roast can be considered a flavour powerhouse, bursting with its natural beef juices. Let your senses take flight with how tender it is with its gorgeously pink interior.

So, go on. Help yourself to as many slices as you can!

This Roast Ribeye Beef (approx. 5kg) served with garden vegetables, rosemary roasted potatoes, mash potatoes and natural jus is available for takeaway at $98 nett.

SALMON COULIBIAC

Salmon aficionados will definitely not want to miss out on Food Exchange’s amazing Salmon Coulibiac. A massive slab of fresh, moist salmon is encased in a perfectly crisp, golden-brown pastry and is baked to absolute perfection.

The salmon is accompanied by tarragon beurre blanc, garden vegetables as well as mashed potatoes.

The Salmon Coulibiac is also available for Festive Takeaways at S$98 nett.

TRADITIONAL ROAST TURKEY

Weighing in at approximately 6kg, this eye-catching table centrepiece is served with turkey stuffing, brussels sprouts, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce and turkey gravy. Be blown away by the incredibly moist and succulent roast turkey. If your mouth wasn’t already watering while watching the chef make a show out of carving the meat, a mouthful slathered with the hearty turkey jus would be enough to change your perception of dry turkey meat.

Traditional Roast Turkey is available for Festive Takeaways at S$128 nett.

HOT LINE

From North Indian tandoori selection with glorious chutneys and curries to local delights (including, but not limited to seafood stir-fry beehoon, chilli crab, satays and laksa), you’d be left spoilt for choice. We’d definitely recommend grabbing some of the Mutton Masala and Cereal Prawns for the ultimate feasting experience.

SEAFOOD ON ICE

If there’s an obvious indicator that accurately showcases the standard of a buffet restaurant, it would definitely be their live seafood offerings. In terms of the freshness and quality, Food Exchange is definitely not one to disappoint.

Tuck into a sizeable variety of crustaceans and shellfish from snow crabs, prawns, mussels and scallops, or help yourself to the salmon gravlax that’s presented next to a whole fresh salmon.

DESSERTS

Remember to save some space for their artisanal desserts, all of which are perfectly sized into tiny bite-sized portions so you can sample the entire lineup available. While they’ve got classics such as chocolate eclairs and cupcakes, the one you cannot do without has to be their durian with sponge cake, which was the most decadent way to end our meal with.

Suddenly Christmas feels too far away, and we completely understand that feeling. Fortunately, the wait isn’t long as both the Festive Takeaway and Festive Buffet start on the 15th of November and will go on till the 31st of December. Remember to book before 14th December 2018 to enjoy 25% Early Bird Discount off Buffet at Food Exchange as an extra Christmas gift to yourself.

Christmas doesn’t really get any better than this, so whether it’s to snag an eye-catching dinner centrepiece or to stuff yourself silly with so many enticing eats, you’d have to be crazy to pass off this opportunity.  So come and celebrate Christmas with Novotel Singapore on Stevens and Mercure Singapore on Stevens!

Fudebar Festive Takeaway
Period: 15th November 2018 – 31st December 2018

To order, email h9543-FB11@accor.com.

All prices are inclusive of service charge and government taxes. Delivery charge of $30 per location applies. Complimentary delivery for orders $200 and above. All orders must be made at least 24 hours in advance.

Food Exchange Festive Buffet
Period: 15th November 2018 – 1st January 2019

Weekday Buffet Lunch, Monday – Friday, 12:00 pm – 2:30 pm $42++
Saturday Buffet Lunch, Saturday, 12:00 pm – 2:30 pm $52++
Sunday Buffet Brunch, Sunday, 12:00 pm – 3:00 pm $88++

Daily Buffet Dinner, Monday – Sunday, 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm $68++

Christmas Pricing
Christmas Eve Dinner, 24th December 2018, 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm $88++
Christmas Eve Dinner, 24th December 2018, 8:30 pm – 10:30 pm $88++
Christmas Day Brunch, 25th December 2018, 12:00 pm – 3:00 pm $88++

New Year Pricing
New Year Eve Dinner, 31st December 2018, 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm $98++
New Year Eve Dinner, 31st December 2018, 8:30 pm – 10:30 pm $98++
New Year Day Brunch, 1st January 2019, 12:00 pm – 3:00 pm $98++

To book a table, visit www.foodexchange.sg.

Food Exchange
Novotel Singapore on Stevens
28 Stevens Road
#01-01, Singapore 257878
Tel: +65 6491 6100
Nearest Station: Orchard/ Stevens

This post is brought to you by Novotel Singapore on Stevens and Mercure Singapore on Stevens. 

Helmed by Chef Teppei Yamashita, the mastermind behind the renowned Teppei brand, Fu-Men Japanese Udon & Donburi is a relatively new halal-certified Japanese restaurant nestled in the basement of Hong Leong Building.

He has been constantly expanding his empire of Japanese restaurants be it in Singapore or overseas and this time, his venture aims to cater to those working in the CBD looking for affordable halal food.

Specialising in authentic Hakata-style udon and donburi bowls—the first of its kind in Singapore, guests can expect Fu-Men Japanese Udon & Donburi Restaurant to deliver in terms of quality and authenticity.

Possibly the most popular item on the menu, their Gobo Udon (S$12+) is a rather unique item you’d rarely find in typical Japanese restaurants and eateries. For the uninitiated, gobo is essentially the root of a burdock plant that has a crunchy texture and natural sweetness.

Topped with a generous helping of Japanese burdock tempura, the Gobo Udon is one that is set to impress. Deep-fried in a light and thin tempura batter, we appreciate how the gobo provides an extra crunchy texture to the dish despite being soaked in the broth.

While the tempura was impressive on its own, what truly sealed the deal for us was the thinner-than-usual, silky smooth udon that is satisfyingly chewy, giving a pleasant bite.

Besides udon, Fu-Men also serves a variety of donburi bowls. We opted for the Ebi Ten Don (S$17+) which sees two pieces of huge prawn tempura nestled on a bed of egg and Japanese rice.

Aptly crisp, the tempura batter that coats the prawn beneath is light and remains crispy even after having been left out for a while. Biting in, you’d find huge prawns that are plump and fresh.

While there really isn’t much to nitpick about this dish, we thought that it was quite pricey considering its portion. Other donburi items on the menu include Oyako (S$13+) and Beef Egg (S$15+).

Fu-Men Japanese Udon & Donburi Restaurant
16 Raffles Quay
Hong Leong Building #B1-17/18
Singapore 048581
Tel: +65 6224 1134
Mon to Fri: 10am – 8pm
Sat: 10am – 2.30pm
(Closed on Sundays and Public Holidays)
Nearest Station: Raffles Place

Folie Kitchen & Patisserie has been gaining popularity and it is not hard to understand why. The gorgeous space sits in Canggu, Bali and it is the new it spot for dining and OOTDs.

Well, these days, these factors come hand in hand for travellers who cafe-hop on holidays, and the Bali restauranteurs are definitely upping their game to stay in trend.

Folie Kitchen & Patisserie is helmed by a French chef who has relocated to Bali and brought along with him his passion and flair for French culinary. You can expect nothing short of a good meal.

The restaurant is split into two parts—indoor seating and alfresco. Upon stepping in, what you won’t miss is its iconic wall painting that is really a myriad of patterns splashed across in striking hues. This wall is no stranger on Instagram now and a quick search would lead you to thousands of OOTDs taken against this Folie wall.

The indoor seating area is a cosy one, with small tables for couples and long ones for bigger groups. At the back of the restaurant is the outdoor alfresco area, and the pastel blue booth seats are set against a pretty pastel pink wall, making it the perfect setting for photos too!

On the food menu, expect mainly French fare such as fresh Nicoise Salad, Croque Monsieur, Pan-seared Foie Gras, Beef Stroganoff and a whole range of hearty pasta. They may not be the cheapest but the quality of the cooking cannot be denied; it is, if any, one of the best restaurants in Canggu.

The dessert selection is extensive too. We were spoilt for choices; it was like we were transported to France. Expect an array of French classics such as lemon meringue tart, eclairs in a range of flavours, madeleine, croissants, banoffee etc.

Jl. Subak Sari No.30a
Canggu, Kuta Utara, Kabupaten Badung
Bali 80361, Indonesia
Tel: +62 361 3003475
Daily: 8am – 10pm

Among the many intricate and beautiful aspects of Japanese cuisine, one of the most unique is the Omakase. Omakase in Japanese fine dining is the act of leaving one’s culinary experience entirely up to the chef, transcending beyond what’s written on the menu. It is in fact, a huge compliment to the chef and is a sign that the diner has total trust in the chef’s expertise, culinary skill and recommendations. It’s a huge deal as far as Japanese food is concerned and the one place that we have total confidence in when it comes to a  luxurious, top-notch dining experience, Fat Cow’s Chef’s Table Omakase undeniably takes the cake.

A place where terrific food, culinary finesse and Japanese hospitality all come together, Fat Cow is one of those restaurants that bears timeless appeal. From their snazzy interiors, laid-back jazzy tunes to their extensive array of top-of-the-line wagyu and seafood-forward dishes, Fat Cow truly gives you a sense of exclusiveness and is quite realistically, the closest one gets to experiencing royalty.

Fat Cow’s dinner Omakase (S$250++ per pax) has always been known to be on the pricier side but for what it’s worth, diners are treated to nothing short of a pure, sensorial and blissful experience. With their newly curated lunch Omakase menu at S$80++ featuring 7 courses, lunchtime will no doubt be the best time to visit the restaurant to enjoy deluxe but wallet-friendly Omakase indulgences.

From now until 30 Sep 2018, quote ‘ladyironchef’ upon making your reservations to enjoy a further 10% discount for both lunch and dinner Omakase, as well as a complimentary glass of Fat Sour (whisky). A minimum of two persons per reservation is required.

Now, who’s up for Fat Cow’s lunch and dinner Chef’s Table Omakase? We know we are.

The man behind the restaurant’s highly celebrated Chef’s Table Omakase, Head Chef Shigeru Kasajima—a seasoned Japanese chef with many decades of French culinary skills under his belt—ensures that all dishes prepared are nothing short of perfection. He serves only the best seasonal seafood and produce—treating them delicately so as to present diners with only the purest, most pristine flavours and textures—and prides himself with serving premium ingredients of the highest grade.

Whether it is a moulded nigiri sushi or a simple soup, you can rest assured that Chef Kasajima cuts no corners—he ensures that every item is perfect before serving from seasoning to garnish.

Decked out in an intimate space of tranquil elegance and a sleek counter that sits just eight, guests are able to witness Chef Kasajima’s culinary prowess that embodies the spirit of both Japanese precision and French flair. Intimate from beginning to end, be prepared to be pampered like royalty as you entrust your evening to the chef himself. Dining at Fat Cow promises heightened dining experience unlike any other—one filled with a myriad of delicate tastes and unforgettable moments of sensorial bliss.

AMUSE BOUCHE

Both the lunch and dinner Omakase kicks off with the Amuse Bouche, which is essentially a wagyu beef carpaccio served with a marinated egg yolk and shiitake mushrooms.

Straightforward and visually stunning, we were blown away by how each individual component stood out without outshining one another, flavour-wise. The marinated egg was creamy and decadent while the shiitake was surprisingly sweet with a hint of umami. The seared wagyu, on the other hand, provided a nice buttery texture which completed the dish.

SEA BREAM SOUP

With the introduction of rich flavours at only the first course, it made complete sense to have the Sea Bream Soup with Lime Sudachi as our second. A hearty palate cleanser with notes of citrus, the light yet flavourful fish soup was hot, savoury and just what we needed to prep ourselves for the heavier courses ahead.

TOMATO UNI

Served in a martini glass, the Tomato with Sea Urchin and Tosazu Jelly—available only in the dinner Omakase menu—comprises a chilled Japanese tomato, sweet and savoury jelly (Tosazu Jelly), sea urchin (uni) served in a light, refreshing sauce.

A delightful appetiser, every mouthful was a combination of rich flavours that were nicely underscored by savoury and umami notes.

WAGYU TARTARE W BLACK TRUFFLE & QUAIL EGG YOLK (LUNCH & DINNER)

Another appetiser to look forward to is the Wagyu Tartare with Black Truffle and Quail Egg Yolk in Yuzu Ponzu. A true spectacle to behold, everything about this dish from the way Chef Kasajima prepares it to its final assembly is a display of Japanese precision and discipline at its best.

The dish first begins with a carefully formed layer of wagyu beef mince followed by shiitake mushrooms that he carefully places on top. Finally, black truffle is shaven over the top and a yuzu ponzu sauce is drizzled over.

Chef Kasajima’s advice is to first take a bite of the dish as it is to appreciate the raw flavours of each component and subsequently to drizzle in the quail egg yolk and mix everything together.

YUZU MISO FLOUNDER (LUNCH & DINNER)

Sliced thin and seasoned with a few drops of their house-made yuzu miso, the first thing you taste is the salty kick from the miso followed by the citrus notes from the yuzu. The raw flounder was relatively neutral tasting, which perfectly brought out the dominant flavours in the dressing.

5-PIECE NIGIRI (LUNCH)

The Chef’s Table Omakase lunch comes with five pieces of nigiri sushi. The sushi selection encompasses a smorgasbord of fresh ingredients that were carefully executed so as to not overshadow one other.

For lunch, guests can tuck into the likes of Alfonsino, Bluefin Tuna, Striped Jack, Signature Surf and Turf and Conger Eel. Some are dipped in shoyu, torched or simply served as it is to allow the original flavours of the fish to shine through with every bite.

The sushi is also served with a side of Pickled Chrysanthemum (Japan’s national flower and a snack that was enjoyed by royalty), instead of the traditional ginger, setting a more modern take on the Omakase experience.

Do note, however, that the ingredients used may vary depending on seasonality.

8-PIECE NIGIRI (DINNER)

For dinner, indulgence truly knows no bounds with the addition of three sensational nigiri sushi items on top of the ones mentioned above. They are the sea urchin (uni), marinated foie gras and baby leeks with bonito flakes.

The uni (sea urchin) sushi was phenomenal and a true luxury for the palate—from the brininess that hits you when it first touches your tongue to the subtly sweet taste that lingers.

WAGYU SUMIBIYAKI

Dining at Fat Cow would not be complete without savouring some of their prime wagyu beef and the Wagyu Sumibiyaki is a dish specially designed for the Omakase dinner to showcase just how exemplary the quality of their beef is.

With a meat so fine in quality and marbling, only the simplest treatment is needed. Lightly seared to achieve a caramelised exterior but just enough so that it still retains its buttery interior, the wagyu is delicate, soft yet extremely flavourful.

The quality of the beef is simply divine and as if having it on its own wasn’t good enough, served on the side is Chef Kasajima’s house-made koji miso that further accentuates the tender beef, giving it a nice salty kick.

If you find yourself drooling in envy now and hankering for a taste of all these decadent goodness, just know that there is still much more to expect from Fat Cow’s respective Omakase menus—we’ve barely scratched the surface.

Fat Cow’s Chef’s Table Omakase Dinner (S$250++ per pax) comes with amuse bouche, soup, five appetisers, three seasonal sashimi, six pieces of nigiri sushi, wagyu sumibiyaki, akadashi miso soup, Japanese rolled omelette and Japanese fruits.

If you are new to Omakase, you can choose to try the Chef’s Table Omakase Lunch (S$80++ per pax) first which consists of amuse bouche, soup, two starters, appetisers, five pieces of nigiri sushi, akadashi miso soup, Japanese rolled omelette and ice cream.

Do note that the aforementioned courses may not be available during selected days/ seasons and the chef will replace them with seasonal specials that are of similar value.

From now until 30 Sep 2018, quote ‘ladyironchef’ upon making your reservations to enjoy a further 10% discount for both lunch and dinner Omakase, as well as a complimentary glass of Fat Sour (whisky). A minimum of two persons per reservation is required.

Fat Cow
Camden Medical Centre #01-01/02,
1 Orchard Boulevard,
Singapore 248649
Tel: +65 6735 0308
Sun to Thu: 12pm – 3pm, 6pm – 10.30pm
Fri & Sat: 12pm – 3pm, 6pm – 11pm
Nearest Station: Orchard

This post was brought to you by Fat Cow.

Five Oars Coffee Roasters is a Melbourne-style café which opened just a week ago in Tanjong Pagar. This newest addition to the slew of cafés around the area makes for an excellent choice for coffee-goers as they get their coffee beans sourced from Ethiopia and Brazil.

Their extensive menu features value-for-money brunch fare and substantial meals at night—from sumptuous rice bowls in the day to hearty mains for a filling dinner, Five Oars Coffee Roasters surely has something for everyone. They also serve craft beers on tap, including Stone & Wood Pacific Ale and Tuatara Helluva Helles Lager.

Besides their stunning instagrammable interior, here is why Five Oars is be somewhere café-hoppers should be adding to their list of brunch spots for the next hang out.

This brand new addition to the café scene in Tanjong Pagar strikes all the right chords in terms of aesthetics. The coffee shop is divided into two areas—an air-conditioned indoor area and an outdoor space with beautiful flora adorning the walls.

For our White Coffee (S$5 for 5oz), we opted for the blend roasted from a mix of Brazilian and Ethiopian beans. The result? A nutty, bittersweet and fragrant roast that will be enough to win over the discerning coffee-goers who frequent the district.

Otherwise, Five Oars Coffee Roasters also serves juices (S$5.5) and Craft Sodas (S$6.50) for non-caffeinated beverages. Should you be looking for some booze to have with your meal, they also offer craft beers on tap!

Five Oars offers a wide myriad of brunch fare ranging from interesting spins such as the Mentaiko Royale (S$21) and Valrhona Chocolate Pancakes (S$19.5) if you are craving for sweeter treats.

We opted for the Five Oars Breakfast (S$24), which indubitably is their signature breakfast item. Mixed salad, a sausage, a slice of thick cut bacon, portobello mushrooms, grilled tomato and half an avocado sits beside a piece of crispy hashbrown nestled atop a thick slice of sourdough toast.

Even with so many things going on in a single dish, every element on the plate was executed nicely—we would recommend getting this dish if you are looking for a substantial brunch affair.

Next up, we had the Spaghetti Granchio (S$18.50), which is essentially crabmeat pasta tossed in a tomato sauce. It is indeed a fairly simple dish, but it impressed us entirely nevertheless.

The pasta was cooked al dente and had a pleasant bite to it—but the star of the show goes to the generous helpings of crabmeat that topped the pasta which we were glad the café did not skimp on. 

Boasting an aesthetically-pleasing botanical interior, impeccable service, amazing coffee and plenteous food offerings, Five Oars Coffee Roasters is definitely a new café in Singapore worth checking out.

Five Oars Coffee Roasters
39 Tanjong Pagar Road
Singapore 088462
Daily: 8am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Tanjong Pagar

Along the popular street of Jalan Dhoby, lies Flowers in the Window, a gorgeous garden-themed café by the folks behind Roost just a couple of units down on the same street. Jalan Dhoby is known to have some of Johor Bahru’s best cafés and the street is just a stone’s throw away from the border.

After clearing the immigration, you can easily walk over to the street and enjoy a huge range of popular restaurants and cafés. Flowers in the Window is hard to miss. Their gorgeous exterior is decorated with plants and so much greenery that you will feel like you are stepping into a secret garden café.

This stunning café occupies two levels. Level one features their main café area where the baristas do their magic with a few seated tables. Level two is the roof of the two-storey building and it features comfortable sofa seats in a spacious area.

This whimsical café is a sight to behold. Every corner of it is Insta-worthy and beautiful.

We waited around 20 minutes on a Saturday afternoon and was promptly seated on the first floor. During a second visit, we managed to snag a seat on the top floor sofa seats.

The first floor had an open kitchen and you can watch the baristas whip up your drink of choice while you marvel at the greenery within the café.

Flowers in the Window rotate their cake and dessert offerings every day. During our first visit, we went for one that stood out most to us–Earl Grey Cake (RM14). This grey cake was a sight to behold and it actually tasted even better, much to our surprise.

The buttercream on the outside was done just right, slightly sweet without overpowering the taste of the actual cake. The cake had a cake pop-like texture but the taste was just fantastic!

Flowers in the Window is definitely a place that you have to visit the next time you go for a day trip to Johor Bahru.

Flowers in the Window
9, Jalan Dhoby, Bandar Johor Bahru
80000 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Tel: +60 7-222 7489
Wed to Mon: 10pm – 8pm
Closed: Tuesday

For more recommendations, read our Johor Bahru guides to discover the best places to go to.

With less than a month to go before Chinese New Year, we bet you are just as thrilled about this festive season as much as we are! There’s nothing quite like gathering around the family table for a wholesome feast.

Having a home party and not sure where to start? When it comes to buffet catering, there are extensive options on FoodLine where you can order from more than 250 caterers with over 4,000 menus. You can easily filter your options by selecting a preferred cuisine and budget or even right down to the specific number of diners.

If you are looking for a Chinese New Year Buffet Catering with a lovely set up to go with the line-up of food, this comprehensive food portal is the go-to catering site for the best CNY catering. FoodLine also offers a myraid of Chinese New Year Catering where you can find ala carte Yu Sheng, Pen Cai and even a 5-course party box to go: you can rest assure that your festive gatherings will be covered this lunar new year.

From now until 31 December 2018, readers of ladyironchef are entitled to S$38 off all online catering orders on FoodLine. 

Needless to say, FoodLine offers the best price guarantee when it comes to catering or food orders. If you find a lower price of the same menu from the same merchant elsewhere, FoodLine will match that rate!

In the unfortunate event when customers are dissatisfied with the entire catering experience—from food, service to value (within a week after the hosted event)—FoodLine will offer a compensation capped at S$100 per order. This has got to be one of the best deals and customer service out there.

Photo Credit: Foodline’s Customers

From Chinese New Year catering menus, baby shower caterings to over 50 halal-certified caterings, you can basically find any catering options and solutions on FoodLine; there is definitely something for everyone on the comprehensive food portal.

Well-established restaurants such as Tung Lok and Swatow Seafood Restaurant are also offering attractive Chinese New Year catering sets; your families and friends would be pleased.

Photo Credit: Foodline’s Customers

Don’t forget to quote ‘LIC38’ to enjoy S$38 off your purchase on FoodLine with a minimum spending of S$350. This exclusive promotion is valid from now until 31 Dec 2018.

Be it birthday parties, year-end celebrations or wedding banquets, this incredible food portal is dedicated to providing customers extensive options at value-for-money prices with a single tap of a button.

Once you start using FoodLine, you’d realise the convenience and beauty of having all your options laid in front of you! All your food catering headaches will cease to exist!

This post is brought to you by Foodline.

If you love luxuriating in weekend brunches, then you need to check out the all-new Food Exchange at Novotel Singapore on Stevens for your next weekend indulgence.

Comfortably nestled in the spanking new Novotel Singapore on Stevens, this sleek restaurant spins up a plethora of international cuisine, allowing you to tuck into delectable food while overlooking the view of the hotel’s infinity pool.

As far as lavish Sunday brunches are concerned, freshness, quality and variety are some of the factors that we value most. Helmed by award-winning Finnish Head Chef Janne Ollikainen, the extensive buffet line at Food Exchange encompasses everything from fresh sashimi and seafood to hot cooking stations that serve up eggs, pasta and risotto à la minute, a myriad of roasted meats and more. They even have their very own DIY Bloody Mary bar so you can concoct your own brunch-time cocktail!

Food Exchange really epitomises the notion that brunch need not be stodgy to be immensely satisfying—just good quality ingredients executed properly. This Sunday Brunch is available at S$78++ per person; should you wish to further amplify your meal, a nominal top-up of S$50++ will entitle you to free-flow Moet Chandon champagne, red, white, rosé wine and draft beer.

Sunday brunches are a costly affair, but here’s the thing: what if we told you we have a special price for our readers? Simply quote ‘ladyironchef’ upon making your reservation to enjoy the Sunday Brunch at S$120 for two pax that will run from now all the way until 25 February 2018! Do note that this promotion does not include alcohol, you can top up S$50++ per pax for free-flow alcohol.

Adorned with marble tabletops and lush leafy backdrops, the restaurant exudes a chic and stylish vibe. There is also an infinity pool located right outside where you can dine al fresco or simply take a dip before or after your meal.

Food Exchange’s Sunday brunch buffet offers a tempting fusion of Thai, Singaporean, Indian and European cuisine. Dishes are skilfully prepared using the freshest of regional ingredients at the open kitchen stations where curious diners are able to watch and marvel at the chefs at work.

CHARCUTERIE

One of our favourite things to pair with a dry, crisp glass of champagne is charcuterie (cold cured meats) and we were absolutely blown away by the restaurant’s range of cold cut options. Help yourself to endless servings of charcuterie options including the rich, robust flavours of the Jamon Iberico ham that boasted a sweet, nutty acorn flavour as well as the salty and rich coppa ham.

Other cured meat options to look forward to is the mortadella ham, smoked duck, beef salami and turkey ham which pair just as well with a bubbly or even a regular glass of wine. All their charcuterie are sliced on a regular basis to ensure utmost freshness.

THE FRESHEST SEAFOOD ON ICE WITH GIANT PRAWNS AND SNOW CRABS

If there was any way to accurately judge the standard of a buffet restaurant, perhaps looking at how fresh their live seafood offerings are would be one of them—and Food Exchange is definitely not one to disappoint.

Tuck into a sizeable yet manageable variety of crustaceans and shellfish from crayfish, snow crabs, mussels to MASSIVE tiger prawns as big as your face. Savour them alongside the many sauce options from the classic cocktail sauce to the piquant wasabi mayonnaise.

When you come across a restaurant that dedicates an entire long table just to cheese, you just know that they are mighty serious about it.

Whether it is a mild, creamy camembert or brie or a bold, stinky blue that you are after, you can bet that the cheese “shrine” will have something to entice. Man, we spent so much time there!

INDIAN TANDOORI SELECTION

Showcasing the very best of North Indian food, the Indian tandoori section consists of tandoori chicken, a few curry options and a variety of Naan bread for you to soak up those glorious curries and chutneys.

LIVE MEAT CARVING STATION

For the religious meat eaters, head on over to the live meat carving station. Simply approach one of the chefs behind the counter who will gladly carve up a slice or two of your preferred meat(s).

Be blown away by the incredibly moist and succulent roast chicken that comes served with a hearty chicken jus or let your senses take flight with the tender roast beef and pork neck that ooze flavour as well as a gorgeously pink interior.

FOIE-GRAS, EGG & PASTA LIVE STATION

Over at the live cooking stations, you can get a full array of enticing à la minute options from pasta, risotto and eggs; but our favourite was the pan-seared foie-gras prepared à la minute. Crispy on the outside but luxurious and fatty in the middle, this was the ultimate indulgence that had us going back for seconds and even thirds.

Served alongside a sweet and tangy berry compote and balsamic reduction, the rich goose liver was balanced out very nicely.

DIY BLOODY MARY

No brunch is ever truly complete without a Bloody Mary cocktail. This iconic brunch time aperitif is famed for its immensely savoury qualities that do well to stimulate the appetite and over at Food Exchange, they even have their own DIY Bloody Mary counter.

For the uninitiated, here is our pro tip: For a traditional Bloody Mary, you’re always going to start with a shot or two of good quality vodka followed a dash of Worcestershire sauce, salt, pepper, tomato juice as well as a tiny drop of tabasco for some heat. Lastly, squeeze a few drops of lime or lemon juice to brighten the drink up.

S$78++ per pax (S$60++ per pax if you quote ‘ladyironchef’) and it is inclusive of unlimited Bloody Mary cocktails? Sounds more than fantastic.

FREE-FLOW CHAMPAGNE, WINE & BEER

For an additional fee of S$50, you get to enjoy free-flow of Moet Chandon champagne, rosé, red and wine, as well as draft beers. The way we see it, if you’re planning to eat like royalty, you may as well drink like it too.

This Sunday Brunch is available at S$78++ per person or at S$128++ for free-flow Moet Chandon champagne, red, white, rosé wine and draft beer.

And to make things better, from now until 25 February 2018, quote ‘ladyironchef’ to enjoy this lavish Sunday brunch buffet for 2 persons at only S$120++!

Sundays rarely get better than this and with so many enticing eats in store at Food Exchange at Novotel Singapore on Stevens, you’d be incredibly silly to pass off this opportunity.

Mileslife is our favourite app to accumulate miles through everyday spending. You can earn 3 miles for every dollar spent at this restaurant. Download and try Mileslife out now! You can use our code ‘Ladyironchef‘ upon your first spending to get 1,000 miles.

Weekday Lunch: Monday to Friday, 12:00pm – 2:30pm, S$42++
Saturday Lunch: Saturday, 12:00pm – 2:30pm, S$52++
Sunday Family Brunch: Sunday, 12:00pm – 3:00pm, S$78++ / $128++ (Free flow Moet Champaign, Rose wine, Red wine, White wine and Draft Beer)
Hoiday Brunch: S$150++ for 2  (Non Alc) on 25 Dec 2017 Brunch and 01 Jan 2018

Weekday Dinner: Monday to Friday, 6:00pm – 10:00pm, S$58++
Weekend Dinner: Saturday to Sunday, 6:00pm – 10:00pm, S$68++

Food Exchange
Novotel Singapore on Stevens
28 Stevens Road,
#01-01, Singapore 257878
Tel: +65 6491 6100
Email: h9543@accor.com
www.novotel-singapore-stevens.com/restaurants-bars/food-exchange/

Mon to Fri: 6.30am – 10.30am, 12pm – 2.30pm, 6pm – 10pm
Sat: 6.30am – 11am, 12pm – 2.30pm, 6pm – 10pm
Sun: 6.30am – 11am, 12pm – 3pm, 6pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: Stevens

This post was brought to you by Novotel Singapore on Stevens.

No surprises here—Fresh Fruits Lab (FFL) is our favourite cafe in the East of Singapore. This has never changed since our first visit in 2015.

The themed cafe has seen a revamp recently and it is nothing short of amazing. Still keeping their core laboratory theme and incorporating fruits into their menu, FFL now boasts a colourful, pastel interior that is both whimsical and photogenic.

It has also become a kids-friendly dining outlet with a play corner for your little ones as well as a low-salt kids menu that is so reasonably priced.

How can a cafe make us fall in love so much? FFL always does it best. Here are some of our favourite dishes from its current menu. You need to bring your squad here for your next gathering!

So you think the cafe only looks pretty?

FFL has always been consistent with their food. No effort is spared to serving only the best—from their dedicated culinary team (most of the chefs have years of experience cooking and baking in top hotels in Singapore!) to the freshness of ingredients.

The menu goes beyond a typical cafe’s standards. It has a wide range of appetisers, salads, mains, desserts, coffee and juices; basically everything that attributes to a good meal. And as its name and theme suggest, FFL incorporates fruits as much as possible into everything for that healthy and refreshing touch.

FFL SIGNATURE FISH & CHIPS

If we had to pick only one dish to love at FFL, it would be their Signature Fish & Chips. Fish & Chips may sound boring but wait till you’ve tried FFL’s version!

For just S$19, you get a huge piece of beer-battered pacific dory fried to a golden perfection. As if the generous serving is not filling enough, it comes with a larger portion of fruits salad, a mountain of fries and homemade tartare.

This is comfort food for the soul, guys.

SOFT-SHELL CRAB PASTA

Also at S$19, this pasta is our favourite among the four choices on the menu.

Featuring a huge and crispy soft-shell crab sits atop al dente spaghetti, the Soft-Shell Crab Pasta is a slightly spicy rendition that is not for the faint-hearted. The chilli crab sauce is homemade, by the way.

FFL DA BOMB BURGER

Need your burger fix but don’t want your wallet to take a beating? The FFL Da Bomb Burger (S$19) will make your trip to FFL worth the while.

This beauty is everything a burger should be—juicy beef patty (200g) that is grilled to medium well, fresh romaine lettuce for the crisp,

SALMON STEAK

A healthier option for the ladies (and even the kids) is the Salmon Steak (S$26). This dish is set on fire (literally) as it is served to you and the end result is a sweet piece of pink salmon that boasts a subtle smoky flavour.

It is accompanied by asparagus purée, mashed carrots, arugula and a homemade grape sauce served in a cute onion cup! That is a fair bit of greens if your skinny jeans are getting a little tight but you still need good food in your life.

SPARKEY THE DOG

This is probably the cutest item on the kids’ menu. At only S$10, this is a pancakes dish that is prepared with low-salt bacon and ham. It is completed with fresh blueberries.

BOO-BOO BEAR

This is too cute, even the adults might not be able to resist the Boo-Boo Bear (S$13)!

And it tastes as good as it looks. We wouldn’t want to cut the bear up but the fried sweet potato cake is too yummy to pass. Stuffed with chicken, zucchini, mushroom and tomato, the sweet potato cake is wrapped with an egg—yes, the bear’s blanket.

LIGHTNING CARS

The perfect dish for your boys (or girls who love cars!), the Lightning Cars (S$12) is a simple yet hearty grilled chicken that is tender and flavourful despite the fact that no salt is used in cooking.

This chicken main is served with purple sweet potato purée and mixed fruit skewers for a more balanced meal.

CREEPY-CRAWLY

Fancy something more filling for the older kids? The Creepy-Crawly (S$13) is a wholesome tortilla wrap that is jam-packed with yummy smoked duck, onion, lettuce and carrots.

There is also a side of homemade fruit yogurt—blueberry, strawberry, granola, honey yoghurt.

ULTIMATE PEANUT BUTTER CHOC CAKE

FFL has a dedicated pastry chef and he bakes the prettiest French-style sweets. The one that we really love is the Ultimate Peanut Butter Choc Cake.

Priced at S$7.50, this decadent treat is our newfound guilty pleasure. Every mouthful of the dense cake is so rewarding; the taste of the rich peanut butter lingers on.

TEA BY LUPICIA INFUSED CAKE

For a lighter but no less satisfying cake option, this doll is your best bet. The Tea by Lupicia Infused Cake is also priced at S$7.50 and it totally reminds us of sweets we’d see in French patisseries.

The whiff of the aromatic tea will first enrapture you, and as you take a bite, you’d realize just how well balanced the sweet and bitter notes of the tea are.

EMERALD GREEN APPLE TEA

The Emerald Green Apple Tea (S$12) may not sound like much, but just wait until you see it in real life. Served in a test tube, the Emerald Green is made of butterfly pea tea, green apple juice and soda water. Get your phone ready and watch as the staff adds in edible dry ice for a mini explosion. We won’t spoil it for you; make sure you order the drink when you are at Fresh Fruits Lab!

COLOURED LATTES

Just when you thought coloured lattes are so gimmicky, you might want to consider trying FFL’s versions. These 4 pretty colours are all achieved using natural ingredients.

There is the Beetroot Latte which boasts a shocking shade of pink, the Sweet Potato Latte which is the gorgeous lavender-coloured cup, the Butterfly Pea Latte which spots a dreamy blue hue, and the Matcha Latte in the usual green.

Because zero artificial colouring is used for these lattes, you shouldn’t expect a super sweet cup with strong flavour notes. Instead, think good old latte with nuances of sweetness and aroma.

Fresh Fruits Lab
351 Changi Rd, Singapore 419818
Tel: +65 6677 6741
Tue to Fri: 11am – 10pm
Sat & Sun: 10am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Eunos/ Kembangan

This post is brought to you by Fresh Fruits Lab.